saturday rain || a short home film

So, we aren't going camping, after all. Dad hurt his back really badly somehow (even he isn't sure what happened!), and thus all plans are canceled.

Yep. 

...oh, and did I mention it's raining? 

Yep. 

We are disappointed, of course, but I took advantage of this newly freed [rainy] day and made a short film for you. It features a few of the scenes around our house--flowers, pets, my (grass-covered) feet. Stuff like that. 

Enjoy. :)

(music is nicole nordeman's "with you")

xo,

lucia

art in the everyday. and randomosity.

I don't know why we always think of "art" as the oils and watercolors and pastels hanging in the museums. Art isn't restricted to a painting or a statue. These are indeed "art," yet are in many ways only the imitations of art. After all, statues and paintings are merely copies of the real world. Perceptions of the art around us--in the sky, in the fields, in the places the artist went and the people the artist saw. 

I like striving to live an artsy life. And by "artsy," I don't mean making my home in a greenhouse, surrounded by boxes of paint and eating baguettes + cheese (though give me that and I'll take it, I suppose). I mean living with eyes that are always perceiving and appreciating the colors and patterns and contorted emotions on the faces of those around me. 

I guess you could call it a hobby of mine. 

---

...I've been a little MIA for the past week or so, thanks to the general emotions and excitement and upheavals of existing. I've been helping out at a local VBS every night for the past four days, helping lead the music up front (did you know I could dance the Ten Commandment Boogie? Me neither..), playing the piano, doing skits (eek, I have a main part tonight that I have yet to finish memorizing), and assisting in herding dozens of little cuties to their various activities (I have to admit I've become a sort of beloved celebrity among the kids, despite the fact that I am constantly forced to order them about... how that happened I have no idea. But I love them all to death). 

And then there have been four hour study parties at Starbucks with Sarah (yes, we are both still experiencing the joys of schoolwork), year-end testing yesterday morning, 6:30 a.m. runs with Olivia, and hectic packing for  our week-long camping trip to Idaho (we're leaving tomorrow--guest posters, ahoy!). 

When I return, I have a second senior shoot with Jessica planned, an engagement shoot with a lovely couple (my first! Eee!), giveaways to post, a certain photo challenge to start up again (many apologies for never posting the winner of April's, or starting up the June one as planned...in case you didn't see the poll on the sidebar, our winner was Lauren), a milk maid braid tutorial to post, another vlog for y'all, and a random video of me singing. 

Yep. Only because I have gotten at least twelve requests in the past month for a video of me singing--why, I have zero idea (have I ever even mentioned singing on here??). But, I complied--let's hope you aren't too disappointed. =] I love to sing, but certainly have no claim to boisterous vocals. Whatever--you asked for it! 

Wow. I have used a lot of parentheses in this post, rambled a little, updated too much, and dawdled from my original subject reprehensibly. But, it is good to be back, though I am leaving once more--until next week, friends! And just for a spontaneous ending, because I will not be here to wish you it: Happy 4th of July. 

xo,

lucia

 Also:

..Bekah is having a pretty exciting event over at her lovely blog! Be sure to go check it out. 

&

..I guest posted at two blogs this week, if you want something extra to read! 

Anna Gray: Self Portraiture 101

Camera Girl: Seven Tips to Better Friendships

our mornings

Our mornings look like

coffee spills and coffee steam and coffee cups on the coffee table,

sleepy eyes and early mists, 

shower races, wet hair, 

scraping the plastic yogurt carton for the last of it,

topping your breakfast with last summer's berries.

Our mornings sound like

"hurry up!" and, "where's my toothbrush?"

"you took it all!" and, "grab the cat!"

then

"don't forget, the faucet's broken--

never mind. I'll clean it up."

Our mornings are 

nothing special.

But, they are

our mornings. 

What are your's?

friday stills

Yogurt + fresh strawberries satisfy my break-fast, home-baked cinnamon bread aromas the kitchen all day, flowered notebooks make studying prettier, and the click of my camera shutter captures them all. 

Now, the calendar marked "Friday" fills my head with Rebecca Black (we we we so excited..) while Scotty McCreery fills the house with

I wanna thank you Lord

For noisy children and slamming doors,

And clothes scattered all accross the floor

My husband workin' all the time,

Draggin' in dead tired at night

My never-ending messy kitchen,

And dirty dishes...

My hair is in a messy bun, the comfortable racket of a hand beater whipping cheesecake for an upcoming event rattles around me; I sit on this big green comfy couch and sing along to the music as I glance over my pictures and words.  Friday takes. They are so simple--so usual. Yet they are my life.   

What is your favorite day of the week, friend? 

xo,

lucia

beautiful places || seattle

High rises pierce the cloudy overlay of a grey cotton sky, surrounding the landmark Space Needle like a matchstick frame. Surrounded by water and white sailboats and filled to the brim with open-air markets, serene viewpoints, and quaint homes, the city is beautiful, stately, busy—it is Seattle.

We girls took a visit to Washington this last weekend to attend the yearly Christian Heritage Conference. It was a refreshing time of learning new truths and having time with old friends, reuniting with best friends, meeting new friends, and simply enjoying a time away. The conference was not far from Seattle, and so on our extra day in the neighborhood we spent some time walking about in beautiful places.

I can’t claim to love the city, but a day amidst skyscrapers and hedges and little cafes tucked behind flower markets always promises to be a lovely one. We climbed a hill overlooking the city and ate our picnic lunch there, enjoying the cool and watching water planes land amidst the sailboats. How odd they are—droning in with their big boat-like gliders, barley missing the boats and skimming across the water just as calmly as you please. I don’t think I could ever get up the courage to pilot one.

After lunch we meandered through the uptown, past lonely benches and the pretty scene of an organic store’s market. I have always loved the handwriting on those flower and vegetable labels—all swirly and whimsy. Handwriting is so distinct, such a part of who someone is. It saddens me to hear that schools will no longer be teaching penmanship as education in the coming years. Print and type has replaced what will soon be a forgotten art. I, for one, will teach cursive to my children. I really can’t imagine living without it, silly as it seems.

For one last adventure, we drove up to the Queen’s Street viewpoint to eat Thin Mints and raspberry Popsicles. Simple treats, yet extremely satisfying [who could have guessed that Girl Scout Cookies could be so delectable?]. I could see the city stretching out before us in the hazy distance, the clouds melting like golden marshmallows as the sun peeked through.

Beautiful places /// Seattle. 

xo,

lucia 

easter // portraits

On Easter Sunday I took advantage of pretty outfits +Spring-ish blue skies  and took some portraits of the kids & animals. We have a bundle of new little chicks here, peeping and calling and huddling cozily together under the heat lamp. 

Their downy yellow backs are soft to the touch and their eyes blink sleepily, but soon they will be growing feathers and hopping about with relish. I hate how fast babies get big, yet it's the way things are. Life passes so quickly. 

Nevertheless, I love watching these new little ones grow right in front of me. It reminds me how precious and fragile each creature is, great or small. And how much more valuable you and I are to God. 

Do you have new animals? 

xo,

lucia 

ps - 1000 followers? oh my word, friends...thank you! i am pretty honored to say the least. 

the miscellany & the lovely.

It's been a miscellaneous & beautiful week filled to the brim with sunlight, jelly donuts, camera clicks, Cadbury chocolate eggs, new chicks, fresh flowers and bike rides down quiet country back roads.  Easter weekend was all azure skies and balmy breezes, and my camera was out almost every second.

On Saturday I helped photograph the annual Megga Easter egg Hunt at our local county fairgrounds. The midday sun was bright and un-photogenic, but the kids were beyond adorable (dang, there were over 1,000 to choose from). It was my first shot at event photography, and I have to say I'm pretty smitten. I wandered around at my leisure into the petting zoo, the face painting and the egg fields taking pictures to my heart's content.  This is the type of thing I could get used to.

On Easter Sunday we had some family over for a full spread, and basked in the warm sunlight. Food + sun are my "one weaknesses," as Miss Lane of Lark Rise to Candleford would say (just FYI: favorite.show.evah.). We talked and laughed and played around in the glowing embers of dusk, just like we used to when we were little. That's the funny thing about family; you can always, always be yourself with them. Even if you change.

Maybe that's why the miscellany and even the mundane are always the loveliest.

What did your Easter look like?


ps- never fear, the march photo challenge finalists will be announced soon-ish! 

piddling about in the sunshine.

Mmmm. It's gorgeous out today. That perfect in-between-spring-and-summer temperature, the sun filtering hazily through the trees in the warm, dusky light; the distant mountains crisp and beauteous against a faded blue sky. It's a wonderful day to be alive, and a wonderful season to be reveling in. Oh, spring, I was wondering when you'd arrive!

I can hardly believe that yet another Winter is behind us. Just yesterday (and I mean this quite literally), there was snow on the ground, and a chill in the wind. This morning, the sun seems to have been reminded of her duty.

This type of weather makes me want to write poetry. Or sit at the piano with the sun pouring through the windows, singing to my heart's content. It's crazy how a bit of sun can lift your spirits.



...Speaking of crazy, that is exactly the word to describe my life right now. My weeks lately have been fringed with that busyness which you can't explain despite its all-too-true reality. My camera has even lain still for days upon end, besides a few captures of the spring world we are enraptured in today.

But Nikki will not be neglected for long; I am looking into purchasing a new lens for her. I'm pretty sure it will be the 50-mm 1.4, but I may go with a 70-mm, too. I just. need. to. save. Camera equipment is dang spendy, I've come to find. But I have several "ordered" photoshoots on the horizon that I need a better lens for, and thus I am scrimping with all my might.

By the way--if anyone is interested, I am thinking of starting up monthly advertising spots here at Lucia, Etcetera. I will get up a page, soon, but if you have a shop or simply a blog that needs a little love, rates will be low and all proceeds will go towards my new lens. ;) Just e-mail me if you're interested right now.

Also--I noticed with much awe and excitement that I am a mere four followers away from 900! Wow. And I mean, wow. I have a supercalafragilistic giveaway planned for y'all as soon as that number is reached--prizes have just been pouring in, and you will not be disappointed. I promise. There are things for the fashionista, the jewelry-lover, the gift card adorer, and the sweet tooth. ;)

So, if you care to spread the word, please do so!

And thus ends my little ramble about my utterly piddle-paddle life. How goes your's?

xoxo,
lucia

ps- calling all photographers! enter your best night shot in this month's photo challenge while you still can! *whispers* there's a prize...

breath of spring.

A balmy wind appears out of nowhere, warming the still-chilly late winter air and gently prodding sleepy buds from their hiding places. With the breeze comes the scent of something lovely--wildflower perfume, roads warming after a rain, and home baked bread all in one.

I step outside and stand on the front porch, basking in the sunlight, inhaling deeply; taking a breath of spring.

I sit in the sun and gaze at the world around me. At the moment, there is nowhere I would rather be: this is my seraglio, my nature palace spotted with sunlight. The yellow daffodils beside the porch are beginning to lift their heads after a long winter nap. I've watched them bloom every spring for so many years, in that same spot, beside the bottom porch step.

Funny how time flies, how seasons pass in a blink.

I pull off my socks and leap into the mossy grass beneath me. It is cold and wet, reminding me that winter is still here--today the sun shines, tomorrow the rain pours. Nevertheless, I  curl my toes between the green blades and forget the chill still within the ground.

Winter can live out its course; I've had a breath of spring.